Dallas Employment Lawyer Report: One-Size-Fits-All Non-Compete?

02/25/2013 // Dallas, Texas, United States // Clouse Dunn LLP // Keith Clouse // (press release)Dallas Employment Lawyer Report: For good reasons, many employers like to make things consistent across their operations. Doing so eliminates complaints about unfairness. But, for a company with operations in multiple states, making things the “same” may be impossible, especially when it comes to non-compete agreements.

Each state creates its own employment laws. These laws can vary considerably. One key area in which states often differ is their treatment of non-compete agreements. Some states are “pro-employer.” These states enforce agreements that might be considered too onerous in other states. Conversely, some states view almost any restriction on a former employee’s ability to earn a living as a violation of the employee’s legal rights.

Drafting a standard non-compete agreement that both satisfies the requirements for multiple states and accomplishes the employer’s purposes could be difficult, if not impossible. Given the importance of these agreements, Keith Clouse, a Dallas employment lawyer, believes that an employer should approach its non-compete agreements as individual agreements. While the agreements could share key characteristics, each should be drafted to ensure compliance with the applicable state law and to ensure that the company will be protected as fully as possible under the governing law.

To speak to Mr. Clouse or to another Dallas, Texas employment lawyer, send an email to debra@www.cdklawyers.com or call (214) 239-2705.